One of the standard operating procedures in local TV is to get a strong afternoon syndicated show to lead into your local newscasts. For decades, “Oprah” was that show. After Oprah Winfrey’s retirement, one of the stronger options was Ellen Degeneres. Her series finale aired in May and the show has been in reruns over the summer.
With a new TV season beginning, what are Ellen’s former stations planning to run in her place? At least nine Upper Midwest stations are using the opportunity to launch new newscasts or magazine programs.
Here’s what the TV listings say:
| Market | Station | Timeslot | New show |
| Bismarck | KXMB/12.1 | 3:00 | Dr. Phil (moving from 4), Local news at 4 |
| Cedar Rapids-Waterloo | KGAN/2.1 | 4:00 | Judge Judy |
| Des Moines | KCCI/8.1 | 3:00 | Jennifer Hudson |
| Duluth | WDIO/10.1 | 4:00 | Local magazine |
| Fargo | KVLY/11.1 | 3:00 | Dr. Phil (moving from 4); Local news at 4 moved from KXJB-CBS |
| Green Bay | WLUK/11.1 | 3:00 | The People’s Court |
| La Crosse-Eau Claire | WKBT/8.1 | 4:00 | Jennifer Hudson |
| Lincoln-Tri Cities | KOLN/10.1 | 3:00 | Kelly Clarkson |
| Madison | WKOW/27.1 | 3:00 | Dr. Phil (moving from 4), Local news at 4 |
| Mankato | KEYC/12.1 | 4:00 | Local magazine |
| Marquette | WLUC/6.1 | 4:00 | Dr. Phil |
| Milwaukee | WISN/12.1* | 4:00 | Local news |
| Minneapolis | WCCO/4.1 | 4:00 | Local news |
| North Platte | KNPL/10.1 | 3:00 | Kelly Clarkson |
| Omaha | KETV/7.1 | 4:00 | Local news |
| Ottumwa | KTVO/3.1 | 4:00 | Dr. Phil |
| Quad Cities | WQAD/8.1 | 4:00 | Dr. Phil |
| Rapid City | KEVN/7.1 | 4:00 | Law & Order: SVU |
| Rochester-Austin-Mason City | KAAL/6.1 | 2:00 | Rachael Ray |
| Sioux City | KTIV/4.1 | 4:00 | Dateline |
| Sioux Falls | KELO/11.1 | 3:00 | Dr. Phil (moving from 4); Local news at 4 |
| Wausau-Rhinelander | WJFW/12.1 | 3:00 | Jeopardy/TMZ |
*WISN had previously aired Ellen at 4:00 but moved the show to 3:00 in June and added a 4:00 local newscast.